Manitoba introduces mandatory in-person physical education curriculum

The Manitoba government has announced a new health and physical education curriculum, marking the first major update to the province's physical health curriculum in 25 years. Under the initiative, dubbed ‘Every Body, Every Day’, the government plans to make in-person physical education mandatory for students.

A two-year pilot program is launching this fall, with schools in Winnipeg, Brandon, and rural and northern Manitoba opting in. While one report specifies the mandatory in-person requirement for grades 11 and 12 is set for a full rollout in the 2027-28 school year, another indicates the pilot aims to cover students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

The updated curriculum introduces modern learning outcomes, including the mental health impacts of social media and artificial intelligence, the marketing of vapes and supplements, and the risks associated with e-scooters and e-bikes. The latter follows data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information showing a significant rise in e-scooter-related hospitalizations among children. Additionally, the program will incorporate basic cooking skills for junior and high school students to complement the province’s universal school food program.